I played with Steven Gerrard, but what the legendary Chelsea duo of Frank Lampard and John Terry did blew me away.
Phil Jagielka may have played with some of the English elite, but he has revealed that Frank Lampard and John Terry stood out from the rest.
The ex-Everton The icon was part of the Three Lions senior squad from 2008 to 2016, where he played 40 international matches and was called up to two major tournaments.
During his time playing for EnglandHe rubbed shoulders with Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand, among others.
But 41 years has stated that while Gerrard was excellent, it was Chelsea legends Terry and Lampard, along with Ferdinand, who left him stunned.
Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, Jagielka commented on the move from training with his Everton teammates to playing with England stars on international duty.
He said: “These are the people I was used to seeing, especially when I started getting into the teams, your Rios, your JTs (John Terry).
“(They won the) Champions League, (Premier League) championships and all sorts of things, so I think when I got there, you were always quite confident, but a bit apprehensive the first few times.
“But to see the standard, I saw a shooting drill, I don't think anyone missed, and I think, 'This is not what I'm used to.'
“People always asked: 'Oh, who's better? Lampard, Gerrard, (Paul) Scholes…', and you had your own opinion.
“But I don't think Frank missed a single shot, some of them don't even look clean and would go into the bottom corner.
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“I thought, 'It can't be luck,' it was a skill, it was next level.
“Like JT, I participated in possession (exercises), normally the centre-backs were placed on the outside.
“And the midfielders and creative players would be in the middle, where it is technically more difficult with more bodies around you.
“And he was intervening, with his left foot, with his right foot, Rio (Ferdinand) doing the same.
“You're thinking, 'Maybe I'm going to have to do this,' but I wouldn't ruin some sessions just yet, I'd wait a little later before I start ruining them!
“But it gave you an idea of where you were, we are talking about incredible teams with incredible centre-halves.
“And it was tough, it was an experience, but international duty is always better when you play and I was desperate to try and get into the team and then get some games.”
